Angled toy vehicle launcher

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle launch apparatus is described. The launch apparatus comprises a base, a vehicle tray, an actuator, a launch member, and a release controller. The vehicle tray is coupled to the base such that it is rotatable along a longitudinal axis relative to the base. The actuator, launch member, and release controller are coupled such that the launch member is configured to move between a ready position and a released position along a surface of the vehicle tray. The apparatus may also include a vehicle disposed on a surface of the vehicle tray and positioned in a launch position adjacent to the launch member. A combination toy vehicle transporter and launch apparatus and a method of launching a vehicle are also disclosed.

FIELD

Toy vehicle launchers as disclosed herein are specially configured tofacilitate transporting and launching a toy vehicle therefrom in amanner enabling the toy vehicle to do stunt maneuvers and the like.

BACKGROUND

Launching a toy vehicle from a stationary position continues to provideamusement for children of all ages. After launching, the toy vehiclewill speed away across a surface to some unknown location. Childreninstantly become amused by the speed at which the vehicle launches andthe anticipation in finding out where the toy vehicle will go afterlaunching. Although the anticipation of launching a toy vehicle from aflat platform still amuses many children, finding new ways to launch toyvehicles will increase amusement. A need for improved toy vehiclelaunchers, therefore, continues to exist.

SUMMARY

A toy vehicle launch apparatus, a combination vehicle transporter andtoy vehicle launch apparatus, and a method for launching a toy vehiclefrom an apparatus are described.

The launch apparatus comprises a base, a vehicle tray, an actuator, alaunch member, and a release controller. The vehicle tray is coupled tothe base such that it is rotatable along a longitudinal axis relative tothe base. The actuator is coupled to the vehicle tray and configured tomove between a relaxed position and an energized position. The launchmember is coupled to the actuator and configured to move between a readyposition and a released position along a surface of the vehicle tray.And the release controller is coupled to the actuator to activate theactuator from the energized position, which corresponds to the readyposition of the launch member, to the relaxed position, whichcorresponds to the launch member released position. The apparatus mayalso include a vehicle disposed on a surface of the vehicle tray andpositioned in a launch position adjacent to the launch member.

In accordance with a first aspect, the vehicle comprises means forrotating at least one drive wheel.

In accordance with a second aspect, one or more of the vehicle drivewheels are not in contact with the surface of the vehicle tray whenplaced thereon.

In accordance with a third aspect, the vehicle is launched along alength of the vehicle tray by moving the release controller. Thismovement of the release controller activates the actuator that moves thelaunch member from the ready position to the released position.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, when the vehicle is launched, thevehicle tray is positioned at an angle ranging from about 10 degrees toabout 90 degrees relative to the base and preferably at an angle rangingfrom about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees relative to the base.

In accordance with a fifth aspect, upon launching and exiting thevehicle tray, the vehicle moves away from the vehicle tray on twowheels, where the two wheels comprise one front wheel and one rear wheelon the same side of the vehicle.

In accordance with a sixth aspect, the base is a member of a vehicletransporter, which comprises a number of wheels attached thereto forrolling movement on an underlying surface.

In accordance with a seventh aspect, the actuator is a spring, therelease controller cooperates with a mechanism connected with the springand moves upon application of finger contact with the releasecontroller.

In accordance with an eighth aspect, the apparatus comprises means forretaining the vehicle tray in a rotated position, and for releasing thevehicle tray from the rotated position onto the base.

In accordance with a ninth aspect, the rotated position is within anangle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the base.

In accordance with a tenth aspect, the apparatus further comprises avehicle, having at least four wheels, disposed on the vehicle tray andlaunched in the rotated position. After launching, the vehicle movesaway from the vehicle tray on two wheels onto an adjacent surface.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect, the apparatus further comprises aramp coupled to the base and extending therefrom to an adjacent surface.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect, the apparatus further comprises acover that is removably disposed over the vehicle tray.

The combination toy vehicle transport and launch apparatus comprises abase with a plurality of wheels connected thereto for rotationalmovement of the base on an underlying surface; a vehicle tray connectedto the base, which is rotatable along a longitudinal axis relative tothe base; a launch member connected to and disposed along a surface ofthe vehicle tray; actuating means connected with the vehicle tray formoving the launch member from a ready position to a released position;and a vehicle disposed on the surface of the vehicle tray and positionedadjacent the launch member. During use of the combination toy vehicletransport and launch apparatus, the launch member is actuated from theready position to the released position and the vehicle is launchedalong the vehicle tray surface to an adjacent surface.

The method for launching a four-wheeled toy vehicle from an apparatus,includes placing a four-wheeled toy vehicle on a vehicle tray that isconnected with a base and rotatable along a longitudinal axis of thetray, where the toy vehicle is positioned adjacent a launch member onthe tray that is in a ready position; and activating a release to causean actuator to move the launch member from the ready position to areleased position, where movement of the launch member to the releasedposition causes the four-wheeled toy vehicle to be launched away fromthe vehicle tray.

Other objects, features and advantages of the described preferredembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description. It is to be understood, however, thatthe detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exampleembodiments of the toy vehicle launchers, are given by way ofillustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications withinthe scope of the toy vehicle launchers may be made without departingfrom the spirit thereof, and toy vehicle launchers as disclosed hereinare understood to include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a combination toy vehicle transport and launchapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the combination toy vehicle transport and launchapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combination toy vehicle transport andlaunch apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a covered combination toy vehicletransport and launch apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a covered combination toy vehicle transport andlaunch apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows perspective views of the removable cover disposed over thecombination toy vehicle transport and launch apparatus, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus with theactuator in a relaxed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus with theactuator in an energized position;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus with the actuatorin an energized position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus with thevehicle tray positioned at an angle and the actuator in a relaxedposition;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus with thevehicle tray positioned at an angle and the actuator in a relaxedposition;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatuswith the vehicle tray positioned at an angle;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show interior components of the toy vehicle launchapparatus;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a toy vehicle;

FIG. 15 shows perspective views of a toy vehicle launch apparatus and atoy vehicle;

FIG. 16 shows a top view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus, including atoy vehicle positioned on the vehicle tray;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus,including a toy vehicle, with the vehicle tray positioned at an angle;

FIG. 18 shows a front view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus, includinga toy vehicle, with the vehicle tray positioned at an angle;

FIG. 19 shows a rear view of a toy vehicle launch apparatus, including atoy vehicle, with the vehicle tray positioned at an angle; and

FIG. 20 shows steps of a method of for launching a toy vehicle from anapparatus.

Like numerals may or may not refer to like parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific, non-limiting, embodiments of angled toy launchers as disclosedherein will now be described with reference to the drawings. It shouldbe understood that such embodiments are by way of example only andmerely illustrative of but a small number of embodiments within thescope of the toy launcher as disclosed herein. Various changes andmodifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which toy vehiclelaunchers pertain are deemed to be within the spirit, scope andcontemplation of toy vehicle launchers as disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-3 show a combination 100 toy vehicle transport 102 and toyvehicle launch apparatus 104. In this configuration, the combination 100is connected to a cab 200. The combination 100 comprises a base 110having a plurality of transport wheels 112 connected to the base suchthat the wheels move rotationally on an underlying and adjacent surface114. The cab 200 also includes a plurality of transport wheels 212 thatmove rotationally on the underlying and adjacent surface 114.

The launch apparatus 104 comprises a vehicle tray 116, which isconnected to the base 110. The vehicle tray 116 is configured forpositioning of a toy vehicle 118 thereon (FIGS. 15-16). During transportof the vehicle 118, the vehicle tray 116 is preferably substantiallyhorizontal. Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cover 120 may beremovably disposed over the vehicle tray 116. The cover may include oneor more decals 122 adhered to an outer cover surface. The cover mayinclude surface elements or features that are designed to register withcomplementary surface elements or features of the vehicle transport 102to promote fitment and/or releasable attachment therewith. FIG. 6 showsperspective views of one type of cover 120 configuration suitable forpositioning over the vehicle tray and onto the vehicle transport.

To facilitate movement and positioning of the vehicle 118 from thevehicle tray 116, a ramp 123 may also extend from the base 110 to theunderlying and adjacent surface 114. In an example, the ramp 123 ismovably attached an end of the base 110 and can be moved from an upwardposition, where the ramp 123 is oriented vertically relative to the base110, to a downward position, where the ramp 123 extends horizontallyfrom the base 110 at a downward angle to the underlying and adjacentsurface 114.

To launch the vehicle 118 from the vehicle tray 116, the launchapparatus 104 includes an actuator 124 (FIG. 13A -13B), a launch member126, and a release controller 128. Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, theactuator is preferably an elastic component 130, such as a spring 132 orthe like, which is configured to move between a relaxed position and anenergized position. The actuator 124 is preferably contained within ahousing 134, through use of an actuator cover 136 connected to thehousing with a plurality of fasteners 137. The housing 134 and cover 136are preferably within a lower section 138 of the vehicle tray 116. Theactuator 124 further includes a plurality of internal mechanisms 140,which are used to connect the actuator 124 to the launch member 126 andrelease controller 128.

The launch member 126 is coupled to the actuator 124 and configured tomove between a ready position 142 a and a released position 142 b alongan upper surface 144 of the vehicle tray 116. The ready position 142 ais shown particularly in FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 15.

The ready position corresponds to the energized position of the actuator124. The released position, as shown particularly in FIGS. 7 and 10corresponds to the relaxed position of the actuator 124. The releasecontroller 128 is also coupled to the actuator 124 and configured toactivate the actuator 124 from the energized position, corresponding tothe launch member ready position. The launch member 126 and the releasecontroller 128 are both activated by application of a force from afinger, for example.

For launching purposes, the vehicle tray 116 may be rotatably positionedto pivot along a longitudinal axis α relative to the base. Thelongitudinal axis α corresponds to an edge 146 of vehicle tray 116 suchthat the toy vehicle 118 may be launched on a pair of wheels, as furtherdescribed below.

The toy vehicle 118 preferably includes at least four wheels, a pair offront wheels 148 and a pair of rear wheels 150. Before the vehicle 118is positioned on the vehicle tray 116, a user 152 (FIG. 15) willactivate the vehicle such that at least one drive wheel 154 is spinningwhen positioned on the vehicle tray. In in example, the toy vehicledrive wheels may be activated by a battery-powered mechanism or amechanical-powered mechanism. To facilitate spinning of one or all ofthe drive wheels 154, the vehicle tray is provided with a relief section156. Configured in this manner, the activated toy vehicle can be placedand reside on the vehicle tray prior to launch without moving.

The toy vehicle 118 may be launched on all four of its wheels when thevehicle tray is substantially horizontal, i.e., when launched from thevehicle tray all four of the vehicle wheels make contact with theunderlying surface beyond the vehicle tray. However, the vehicle traymay also be rotatably and angularly positioned to pivot with respect toa longitudinal axis α relative to the base. With respect to thelongitudinal axis α, the vehicle tray may be positioned at an angle βthat can range from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees and preferablyfrom about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. When the vehicle tray isangularly positioned, the toy vehicle 118 is launched on a pair ofwheels, e.g., a front wheel 153 and the rear drive wheel 154. Thesewheels are positioned on the same side of the vehicle 118 such that thevehicle may perform a stunt-like maneuver upon launching. FIGS. 17-19show angular positioning of the vehicle tray 116 that will cause thevehicle to perform such a two-wheeled stunt-like maneuver once launchedfrom the vehicle tray.

A method 300 for launching a toy vehicle from an apparatus, includes thesteps of operating a vehicle, having at least four wheels, to rotate theone or more drive wheels such that one or more drive wheels are freefrom contacting the vehicle tray 310, placing the toy vehicle on avehicle tray connected to a base which is rotatable along a longitudinalaxis of the vehicle tray, where the toy vehicle is positioned adjacentto a launch member on the tray in a ready position 320; and activating arelease to cause an actuator to move the launch member from the readyposition to a released position, where movement of the launch member tothe released position causes the toy vehicle to be launched away fromthe vehicle tray 330. In addition, after the step of activating, thefour-wheeled vehicle moves away from the vehicle tray and across asurface adjacent an end of the vehicle tray on two wheels.

Thus, toy vehicle launchers, combinations of toy vehicle transports andlaunchers, and method of launching toy vehicles are disclosed. Whileembodiments of toy vehicle launchers have been shown and described, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications are possible without departing from the inventive conceptsherein. Toy vehicle launchers, therefore, are not to be restrictedexcept in the spirit of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy vehicle launch apparatus, comprising: abase; a vehicle tray coupled to the base and rotatable along alongitudinal axis relative to the base; an actuator coupled to thevehicle tray and configured to move between a relaxed position and anenergized position; a launch member coupled to the actuator, wherein thelaunch member is configured to move between a ready position and areleased position along a surface of the vehicle tray; and a releasecontroller coupled to the actuator to activate the actuator from theenergized position that corresponds to the launch member ready position,to the relaxed position that corresponds to the launch member releasedposition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vehicledisposed on a surface of the vehicle tray and positioned adjacent thelaunch member in a ready position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinwhen the vehicle is launched along a length of the vehicle tray bymoving the release controller to activate the actuator and move thelaunch member from ready position to the released position.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle tray is positioned at an angleof from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the base whenthe vehicle is launched.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein uponlaunching and exiting the vehicle tray, the vehicle moves away therefromon two wheels, wherein the two wheels comprise one front wheel and onerear wheel on the same side of the vehicle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the base is a member of a vehicle transporter, and wherein thevehicle transporter comprises a number of wheels attached thereto forrolling movement on an underlying surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the actuator is a spring, the release controller cooperates witha mechanism connected with the spring, and wherein the releasecontroller is configured for movement by finger contact.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, comprising means for retaining the vehicle tray ina rotated position, and for releasing the vehicle tray from the rotatedposition and onto the base.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising avehicle, having at least four wheels, disposed on the vehicle tray andlaunched in the rotated position, the launched vehicle moving away fromthe vehicle tray on an adjacent surface on two wheels.
 10. The apparatusof claim 1, further comprising a ramp coupled to the base and extendingtherefrom to an adjacent surface.
 11. A combination toy vehicletransport and launch apparatus, comprising: a base comprising aplurality of wheels connected thereto for rotational movement of thebase on an underlying surface; a vehicle tray connected to the base,wherein the vehicle tray is rotatable along a longitudinal axis relativeto the base; a launch member connected with and disposed along a surfaceof the vehicle tray; actuating means connected with the vehicle tray formoving the launch member from a ready position to a released position;and a vehicle disposed on the surface of the vehicle tray and positionedadjacent the launch member; wherein when the launch member is actuatedfrom the ready position to the released position and the vehicle islaunched along the vehicle tray surface to an adjacent surface.
 12. Thecombination as recited in claim 11, wherein when placed in a launchposition the vehicle tray is rotated to an angle of between about 10degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the base.
 13. The combination asrecited in claim 11, further comprising a release controller connectedwith the actuating means and disposed on the vehicle tray for actuatingthe launch member from the ready to released position.
 14. Thecombination as recited in claim 11, wherein the vehicle includes one ormore drive wheels and means for rotating the same.
 15. The combinationas recited in claim 14 wherein when the launch member is in the readyposition, the one or more vehicle drive wheels are free from contactingthe vehicle tray.
 16. A method of launching a toy vehicle from anapparatus, the method comprising the steps of: placing the toy vehicleon a vehicle tray that is connected to a base and rotatable along alongitudinal axis of the vehicle tray, wherein the toy vehicle ispositioned adjacent a launch member on the vehicle tray that is in aready position; and activating a release to cause an actuator to movethe launch member from the ready position to a released position,wherein movement of the launch member to the released position causesthe toy vehicle to be launched away from the vehicle tray.
 17. Themethod as recited in claim 16, wherein during the step of activating,the toy vehicle moves across a surface adjacent an end of the vehicletray on two wheels.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein thetwo wheels comprise a front and a rear drive wheel on the same side ofthe toy vehicle.
 19. The method as recited in claim 16 wherein the toyvehicle comprises one or more drive wheels, and wherein before the stepof activating, operating the vehicle to rotate the one or more drivewheels, and wherein the one or more drive wheels are free fromcontacting the vehicle tray.
 20. The method as recited in claim 16,wherein before the step of activating, rotating the vehicle tray to alaunch position that is between about 10 to 90 degrees relative to thebase.